Garment pressing machine



H. c. A. MEYER 1,888,879

GARMENT PRESS ING MACHINE Nov. 22, 1932.

Filed Dec. 3, 1925 I5 Sheets-Sheet 1 H. C. A. MEYER GARMENT PRESSING MACHINE Nov. 22, 1932.

Filed Dec. 3, 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. 22, 1932. H. c. A. MEYER GARMENT PRESSING MACHINE Filed Dec. 5, 1925 a Sheets-Sheet s jj r Patented Nov. 22, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HENRY O. A. MEYER, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO UNITED STATES HOFFMAN MACHINERY CORPORATION, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A

CORPORATION OF DELAWARE GARMENT PRESSING MACHINE Application filed December 3, 1925. Serial No. 72,978.

This invention pertains to improvements in presses and more particularly to presses adapted for garment and laundry work. The invention is in a sense, an improvement upon the structure shown and claimed in the patent to William A. Zeidler, Patent Number 1,872,100 granted Aug. 16, 1932.

The main object of the present invention is to produce a structure which, While effecting the operations set forth in said application will be simpler and more positive in its operation.

A further object of the invention is to'produce a press wherein the major portions thereof, at least the frame-work, may be produced from sheet metal, such as steel pressed to form, which has the advantage of lightening the structure as a whole while at the same time insuring stability when the same is subjected to stress and strain.

A still further object of the invention resides in the provision of means whereby the movement of the head will be positively controlled to first bring it into direct alignment 4 with the head, and in spaced relation thereto,

and to thereafter cause the head to move downwardly in a right line onto the goods imposed upon the buck. By reason of the arrangement and operation of the parts, the head mov es to a considerable extent to the rear of the buck allowing free access to the buck whereby the operator may, without difficulty, secure a proper lay of the goods. Again, by reason of the downward right line movement of the head, no drag between the pressing element and the goods takes place.

A still further object of the invention resides in the provision of means whereby the power exerted for closing the press, that is to say, moving the head forwardly over the buck and then downwardly onto the buck, is exerted directly upon the head carrying frame rather than through the track and the rocking frame to which the head is attached.

With these and other objects in view, reference Will be had to the annexed drawings wherein,

Figure 1 is a verticalsectional view of the press with the head and the rocking frame Which carries the same moved to the extreme rear position as shown in full lines, while in dotted lines, the press head is illustrated as moved over directly above the buck and in spaced relation thereto,

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line II'II of Figure 1 illustrating more particularly the pivotal support for the rear portion of the tilting platform upon fvhich rests the rocker frame that carries the lead,

Figure 3 is a sectional side elevation showing the press in its closed position, that is to say, with the head lowered upon the buck or upon the goods imposed upon the buck,

Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line IVIV of Figure 8, and

Figure 5 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken on the line VV of Figures 3 and 4. v

As above noted, portions of the machine are preferably formed from sheet metal and to that end the base or main frame of the machine comprises an angle bar or member 1 substantially U-shaped in outline, see Figure 4, to the upstanding flange or element of which is secured body elements or plates 2 and 3, which plates are riveted at their lower ends of said flange. These plates'at their'upper ends are riveted to a metal frame or casting 4 while at the rear portion of the angle 1 there is secured a cross block or frame 5 which ties the base 1 together and prevents any spreading thereof.

Secured upon the frame block 4 is a casting 6 to which in turn is secured a buck or pressing member 7 of any approved type or contour.

5 are lugs 8 in which a cross bar 9 finds its bearings. Secured to the bar 9 is a pivoted platform produced from bar metal bent generally to a U-form, said member being designated by 10. The side elements of said platform stand in parallel relation and in effect form a track upon which the rocking or rolling head carrying frame finds its bearing, as will be hereinafter set forth. The forward end or cross connecting element of the platform lO-is provided with brackets 11 in which are adjustably secured draw rods 12, the up- Extending upwardly from the frame block per headed ends of which are externally threaded and screw into the lower end of springs 13. Each of said spring at its upper ends engages a threaded block 14, said blocks in turn being pivotally mounted upon a through shaft 15 which finds its bearings in lugs 16 formed as an integral portion of the frame member 4:. The blocks are held in position upon the outwardly extending ends of the rods 15by cotter-pins 17, Figure 5, or by any suitable means which permits the ready withdrawal of the blocks in case it becomes necessary at any time to replace the springs. The tension springs may be adusted through the draw rods 12 in a manner which will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

The head of the machine, designated by 18, is secured to the forward overhanging portion of a rocking frame, which latter finds its bearing upon the pivoted platform 10. Said rocking head supporting frame, is shown, in the instant case, as produced from a stamping of sheet metal and two side plates or webs. The forward head supporting portion of the rocking frame is produced by stamping or dying out a sheet of metal to the form best shown in Figures 1 and 1. It may be said to W comprise a body plate or transversely extending web-like member 19 having laterally and rearwardly extending flanges 20 which body and flanges at their upper portions are curved forwardly and form the overhanging element or elements to which the head 18 is secured.

. other words, tapering away Secured to and extending rearwardly from each of the side flanges 20 are plates desig nated, respectively, 21 and 22, see Figure 1, theplates being widest at the bottom or, in to practically nothing at their upper ends which terminate short of the forwardly curved portion of the main frame member 19-20. The lower edges of the side plates 21 and 22 are, as will be seen upon reference to Figures 1 and 2, curved and to each of the plates upon its outer face, adjacent such curved portions,there is secured a bar or hearing plate 23, which bars rest upon the rocking platform or more specifically, the side elements thereof, which form tracks for said bars. The side plates, as will be seen upon reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3, extend downwardly against the inner side faces of the track elements and thus the frame is held against lateral displacement with reference to the tracks. v

When the press is open the parts stand in the position shown in full lines in Figure 1, the head being elevated and moved clear of the buck and to the rear thereof.

In the operation of the press the head moves forwardly to the dotted line position in Figure 1, and then downwardly to the pressing position shown in Figure 3.

In order to prevent undue lateral motion of the head and its carrying frame, and to insure the head moving downwardly in a right line to pressing position after it has been brought over the buck, I provide the main frame with certain guide slots which cooperate with guide rollers secured to, and carried by, the rocking head supporting frame. In each of the side plates 2 and 3 there is provided. two slots, the upperone having a rear portion 24 which is inclined slightly from the horizontal toward the front of the machine, and then with a vertically disposed portion 25. The lower slot is provided with an inclined upper portion 26 and a lower veri cally disposed portion 27, the upper portion being only slightly inclined to the rear.

Owing to the fact that the side frame menr. bore 2 and 3 are produced from sheet metal and consequently would afford but small bearing for the guide rollers which cooperate with the slots, it is deemed advisable to secure bearing plates or members to said plates 2: and 3 which members are designated by 28' and shown in the instant case as castings riveted or otherwise secured to the frame members. Any suitable form of guide may, however, be employed.

Secured to the forward member 19 of the rocking frame are brackets 29 and 30 see Figures 1 and '5, in which are secured. stub axles which form the support for the flanged rollers 31 and 32 which enter respectively the upper slots formed in the opposite frame members 2 and 3. A second pair of brackets 33 and 3 1 are secured to the lower portion of the frame member 19 and a rod 35 extends therethrough as will be best seen upon reference to Figure 5. Mounted upon the outer ends of this rod are flanged guide rollers 36 and 37 which extend through the lowermost slots in the respective side frame elements A 2 and 3 and bear upon the members 28 secured to the frame member adjacent the lower pair of slots.

Secured to the lower central portion of the forward frame member 19 another bracket 38, the rod 35 passing therethrough. The lower end of the bracket is bifurcated in order to permit the entrance of the red .eed lower end of a coupling element 39. The upper end of this member is internally threaded to receive the lower threaded end of a rod 410. The upper end of the rod, Figure 3, is reduced in diameter and passes through an opening formed in a swivel bloclr 41 and to the upper end of the rod is secured a hand wheel or knob 12 through the manipulation of which the rod 40 may be screwed into, or out of the lower coupling member 39. Said member 39 and the rod 10 formthe lower link element of a toggle mechanism, the upper element of which is produced by two barsor levers 4:3 and 1 1 which bars, at their upper ends are pivotally mounted upon the shaft or rod 15. Said levers 4:3 and 44 stand will first place thegoods upon the. buck? eeann ingsto receivethe studs. formed upon the swivel. block 1-1. Said levers extend: down Wardly tov apoint relatively close'to the base of the. machine and a pedal. 46 is secured thereto.- A spring-pressedlatch 47 is pivotallysecured to the under face of the pedal and the. nose 48 of said latch is adapted, when the pressis closed,.to pass into an opening, see Figure 3,.formed'in the base element 1 and to come into.=loclrinp; engagement. with said base thereby holding the. press in. its ClOSEd position. The latch is also provided wit-ban upstanding lug 49 which protrudes upwardlyrthrough an opening formed in the pedal 46 whereby the operator may depress the latch andcause its release or disengagement from the frame thus permitting" the press to be opened. A handle 50 is positioncd between the forward ends of the flange members 20 in order that the operator may, if he so desires, move the head manually ratherthan through the pedal and toggle mechanism. The usual table 51 and bacle board 52 will also he provided.

. It will be understood thatthe press will be provided'with the usualheating means for thehead' and buck, steam ejecting or spraying means and vacuum producingmeans but as these are well known in the art, it is not deemednecessary'to illustrate or describe them;

' The upper cam slots extend, as will be noted'from the foregoing description, in a general'upward and rearwa-rdzdirection and the head carry-ing'frame or supporting memher has an upright portion and an over-hanging portion, which lattercarries the head 18. Furthermore, the head carrying frame or member has in efi'ecta followerorfollowers in the rollers which workin the slots and the head supporting-member has means for arctu+ ating'it to shift saidm ember along the slots or cam grooves through the mechanism as above described.

In operation with thewpartsshown'in full line position, Figure 1, in which case it will be seen that the toggle-is broken, .the. operator and sec'ure the desired-lay: thereof. He can then either. draw the headforwardly into the dotted line position through the-use of the handle '50 or, what is preferablevand:desirable, owing); to the fact that both hands may be: maintained upon the garment. he will cause the head to move forwardly by moving the pedal inwardly to such. an extent that the parts will come to the dotted line position in Figure 1. During this movement the guide rollers pass downwardly along the portion 24 of the upper slots and the. upper portion 26 of the lower slots, the head S11 rung framerocking or rolling upon the track of the pivoted supporting" frame or platform Further inward movement of the pedal will bring the parts. to the position shown inure. 8, the guide rollersabsolutelyv insuring a right; line downward movement ofthe head toward'the buck onto the. garment imposed thereon. 'lhetoggle comingt'o approximately straightened position will cause high pressure to be exerted between the head and the buck. Inasmuch as the lower link of the toggle isconnected directly to the rocking frame, the pressure is; exerted directly through said rocking frame. to the head'and not through the rocking platform to the rocking frame as in the constructions shown in the press first-mentioned. Moreover; there is no tendency as in the press above mentioned for thetrack to separate from the rocker frame and hence there is an absence of" noise which inheres'under the older construction when the press'is opened owing to a hammering between the trackiandthe rocking frame. I

' Guiding of the rocking frame by the roll+ ersprevents any undue lateralmotion of'the parts thereby insuring. the complete register between the head and the buck at'all times.

, The fact that'the headsupportingiand carrying frame is formed'of sheet steel, it will yield to a certain extent an d always come back to position. Thus if a thick portion of a garment be placed upon oneend of the. buck, or a portion of agarment be placed-upon one end only, the frame will compensate for thisvariation in thickness; inother'words, the frame may he carriedout ofitsnormal'position up to the elastic limit of the metal without fear of breakage and with the assurance that it will always return to proper alignment;

VVhatiis claimed is:

1; In "a press of the class described, the combination of a. frame; a. buck. mounted thereon; aplatform pivoted to the frame; resilient means normally acting to raise the free end of the platform; a rocker frame mounted on the platform;a pressing head carried at the upper end thereof; and a'pressure applying mechanism interposed between the forwardlower portion of the rocker frame and a fixed portion of the press.

2. In a press of the class described, the combination of a frame; a buck mounted thereon; a platform pi oted to the frame; resilient means normally acting to raise the free" end of. the platform; a rocker frame mountedon the platform, a pressing head at the upper end thereof; and pressure applying means involving a toggle mechanism interposed between the lower forward portion of'therocker frame and a fixed portion of the press.

3'. In a press of the class described, the combination of frame; a buck mounted thereon; a platform pivoted to the frame resilientmeans normally actingto raise the free end of the platform a rocker frame mounted on the platform; a pressing head carried at the'upper end thereof; and a pressure appl lngmeans involvmga toggle mechamsm in.-

terposed between the lower forward portion of the rocker frame and a fixed. portion of the press, one of the links of the toggle extending downwardly and carrying a pedal. 7

4. In a press of the class described, the combination of a frame; a buck mounted thereon; a platform pivoted at its rear at the rear portion of the frame; resilient means acting on said platform to move it upwardly a rocker frame mounted on the platform; a head secured. to the upper portion of said rocker frame; and means acting directly "upon the forward lower portion of said rocker frame to rock the same forwardly and then to move the same downwardly.

5. In a press of theclass described, the combination of a frame including two vertically disposed parallel side elements each having two guide slots formed therein; a tiltable platform; resilient means normally acting to raise the free end of the platform; a rocker frame mounted outhe platform; guide rollers associated with the frame and extending into the guide slots; a buck; a head carried by the rocker frame; and means for forcing the buck and head into pressing relation,

6. In a press of the class described, the combination of a base; a pair of sheet metal side plates extending upwardly therefrom, each plate having formed therein a pair of guideways; a frame'member securing the upper ends of said plates together; a buck mounted thereon; a platform pivotally mounted at the rear portion of the base; resilient means normally serving to raise the forward end thereof; a rocker frame mounted on the platform; a head carried thereby; flanged guide rollers carried by the rocker frame, said rollers entering the guideways aforesaid with the flanges bearing against the side plates; and means for moving the head forwardly and into pressing relation with reference to the buck.

'2'. In a press of the class described, the combination of a base; a pair of sheet metal side plates secured to and extending upwardly therefrom; each plate having formed therein two guideways an deach way having an inclined upper portion and a vertically disposed lower portion, a frame member securing the upper ends of said plates together; a buck mounted thereon; a platform pivotally mounted at the rear portion of the base; resilient means normally serving to raise the forward end thereof; a rocker frame mounted on the platform; a head carried thereby; flanged guide rollers carried by the rocker frame, said rollers entering the guideways aforesaid with the flanges bearing against the side plates; and means for moving the head forwardly and into pressing relation with reference to the buck.

8. In a press of the class described, the combinati on of a frame; a buck mounted thereon;

a platform pivoted at the rear portion of the frame; resilient means acting on said platform to rock it upwardly; a rocker frame mounted on the platform; a head secured to the upper portion of said rocker frame; and me ans interposed between thero cker frame and the frame first mentioned for insuring first a forward movement of the head over the buck and in spaced relation thereto, and thereafter a right line movement of the head toward the buck said means acting directly upon the forward lower portion of said rocker frame to force the buck and head into pressing relation.

9. In a pre'ssof the class described, the combination of a main frame; a buck carried thereby; a platform pivotally mounted at the rear portion of the lower part of the frame; resilient means normally acting to raise the forward end of said platform; a rocker frame mounted upon the platform; a head'carried at the upper portion of said rocker frame; and means interposed between a fixed portion of the press and the forward lower portion of the rocker frame for moving the head downwardly into pressing relation with the buck.

10. In a pressof the class described, the combination'of a base; a pair of sheet metal side plates extending upwardly therefrom; a casting connecting the upper ends of said plates; a platform pivotally mounted at its rear end to the rear portion of the base; resilient means normally acting to raise the forward end of said platform; a rockerframe, said frame comprising a body member formed of sheet metal having rearwardly extending flanges at each side thereof, with the upper portion carried forwardly to provide an overhanging member, and a pair of plates secured to the flanges and extending. rearwardly therefrom, the'lower ends of the said plates being curved in outline; a head carried by the forwardly extending portion of said rocker frame; tracks secured to said last named plate members, said tracks resting upon the pivoted platform; and means for swinging the rocker frame forwardly and moving'the same downwardly to bring the head into pressing relation with the buck.

11. In a press of the class 10; guide rollers carried by the rocker frame and guideways formed in the sidev plates, said rollers working in said guideways.

12. In a press of the class described, the

set forth in claim combination of aframe; a buck mounted thereon; a platform pivoted to the frame; resilient means acting normally to raise the forward end of the platform 3- a rocker frame mounted on theplatform; a pressing head carried at the upper end thereof; a pressure applying means involving a: toggle mecha nism interposed between the lower forward portion ofthe rocker frame and a fixed por tion of the press a pedal secured to the lower extended portion of one of the links of the toggle; and a latch carried by the pedal adapted to engage a fixed portion of the press when the toggle is moved to its operative pressing position.

13. In a garment pressing machine, the combination of a supporting frame; a buck mounted thereon; a head; a supporting member for said head, said member having a downwardly extending portion and an upper forwardly extending portion to which latter the head is attached, said supporting member comprising a structure formed from sheet metal bent to form and being of U-shape substantially throughout its length whereby flanges are produced as extensions from the main body portion or" said supporting me1nher; and means for actuating said head-carrying supporting member to carry the head into and out of pressing relation with the buck.

14. In a garment pressing machine the combination of a supporting frame; a buck mounted thereon; a head supporting member formed from sheet metal bent to form, said member being substantially U-shape in cross section and having a downwardly extending portion and an overhanging forwardly ex tending portion, said supporting member presenting a substantially continuous and unbroken surface throughout its length; a head attached to said forwardly extending portion; and means for shifting said head supporting member to move the latter into and out of pressing relation with the buck.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

HENRY C. A. MEYER. 

